Rural pubs in the Conwy Valley are staging a comeback after years of decline.

According to statistics from Conwy Rural Partnership, the number of pubs in Conwy county fell by more than 20% between 2001 and 2012.

You didn’t used to have to travel far to see a pub boarded up and in disrepair, but now there’s fresh paint appearing on the Red Lion in Ty’n y Groes, the White Lion in Cerrigydrudion is open again under new management, and workmen have been busy all summer at the White Horse in Capel Garmon and Fairy Glen Hotel in Betws-y-Coed.

As reported in last week’s Weekly News the Gwydyr Hotel in Betws-y-Coed is under new ownership, and the Eagles Hotel in Llanrwst reopened in the summer.

Gwydyr Hotel, Betws y Coed

Siwan and Gareth White are getting the keys to the Hawk and Buckle Inn in Llannefydd this week.

They’re dairy farmers looking to create another business with the pub, serving local food (Siwan was a cook at a local school) and offering bed and breakfast.

Many pubs are diversifying in order to become more sustainable. Pub is the Hub, an initiative which helps pubs provide community services, is currently running in Conwy, supported by Conwy Rural Partnership.

At a recent workshop at the Eagles in Llanrwst, six publicans discussed ideas for making their pubs more sustainable in the future.

Elen Edwards, Conwy Rural Partnership’s strategy manager, said: “There is an opportunity for pubs to offer services which have been lost in some rural villages, for instance the village shop or post office.

“Pubs in other parts of the country are becoming computer training centres, lending libraries and even church halls.

“We’ve also heard of pub gardens being turned into allotments, so the possibilities are endless.

“What’s important is that publicans with ideas like these can speak to us and we can help with support or access to grants.”

Karen Davies, who runs the White Lion in Cerrigydrudion with her sister-in-laws, is going to invite the community to submit ideas as to what they would like to see at the pub.

She said: “It’s still a struggle during the week so we need ideas on how to make it more sustainable.

“The pub really is the heart of the community and people were so pleased to see it reopen.

“I’m thinking of starting an exercise class in the function room. There’s also a perfect bit of land which could be turned into allotments, we just need to find out what people want.”

Siwan White, from the Hawk and Buckle, said: “As we are farmers we hope to be serving our own meat at the pub within a year, we want to be serving as much locally sourced food as possible.

“As a family we are all really excited to be taking over the pub, we’ve got three children, and we’ll be living on the farm during the week then the pub at the weekend’s.

“It’s going to be very much a family affair, my niece is going to be staying at the pub during the week and my sister will be helping me out in the kitchen.”

For more details about Pub is the Hub call Helen Jackson-Jones at Glasdir in Llanrwst on 01492 643159.